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Neeraj Chopra, India's javelin superstar, has had a season of near misses, culminating in a second-place finish at the 2024 Diamond League final. Despite his consistent performances, Chopra has narrowly missed out on top honors throughout the season.At the Kuortane Games 2021, Chopra's last finish outside the top two, he has since secured a string of podium finishes. However, his 2024 campaign has been marked by a series of second-place finishes, including the Paris Olympics, Doha Diamond League, and Lausanne Diamond League.In the Diamond League final, Chopra produced a best throw of 87.86m, falling short of Anderson Peters' winning throw by a mere 0.01m. Peters, making a comeback after an injury, claimed the Diamond Trophy with an 87.87m throw.Despite his narrow miss, Chopra earned USD 12,000 (INR 10.06 lakh) in the grand finale of the Diamond League series. He finished the season with 14 points, securing fourth place in the overall standings.Chopra's consistent performances have earned him over INR 20 lakh in prize money from the Diamond League series. However, he did not receive any cash incentive for his silver medal at the Paris Olympics, as cash rewards were only given to Olympic champions.Despite his near misses, Chopra remains a formidable force in javelin throwing. His determination and resilience are a testament to his unwavering pursuit of excellence. As he looks ahead to the 2028 Summer Games, Chopra will undoubtedly be aiming to convert his silver into gold and add to India's Olympic medal tally.

Rhythm Sangwan, the rising star of Indian shooting, will be the sole Indian competitor in two events at the season-ending ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi. The 20-year-old will participate in both the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol competitions.Sangwan's selection comes after double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker opted for a three-month break following her exploits in Paris. Bhaker made history by winning bronze medals in the women's 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event in Paris.The Indian squad for the ISSF World Cup Final features nine members from the Paris Olympics team, which returned with three bronze medals. A total of 11 Indian Olympians will compete for the title of the best shooter of the year along with the world's best in 12 individual Olympic events.The 23-member Indian squad includes four shooters who were selected directly by the ISSF: Divyansh Singh Panwar (men's 10m air rifle), Sonam Uttam Maskar (women's 10m air rifle), Rhythm Sangwan (women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol), and Ganemat Sekhon (women's skeet). The rest of the members were selected based on their Olympic trials rankings.Seasoned shooters and Olympians Mairaj Ahmed Khan (men's skeet) and Chain Singh (men's 50m rifle 3 positions) have returned to the team. Other Paris Olympians in the squad include Arjun Babuta (men's 10m air rifle), Arjun Singh Cheema (men's 10m air pistol), Anish and Vijayveer Sidhu (men's 25m rapid-fire pistol), Shreyasi Singh and Rajeshwari Kumari (women's trap), Maheshwari Chauhan (women's skeet), and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka (men's skeet).The ISSF World Cup Final will be held from October 13 to 18 at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. The Indian shooters will look to carry on the momentum from their success in Paris and perform strongly on home soil.

Gagan Narang Lauds Indian Para Athletes' Performance at ParalympicsLondon Games bronze medallist shooter and India's Chef de Mission at the Paris Olympics, Gagan Narang, has expressed his admiration for the country's para athletes for their exceptional performance at the ongoing Paralympics. The Indian Paralympic contingent has already secured a record 25 medals, including 5 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze, and currently stands at the 16th position in the medal tally.Narang praised the para athletes for surpassing the medal tally of the Tokyo Paralympics and expressed his anticipation for more medals in the future. He emphasized the importance of recognizing their achievements and supporting their continued success."A fantastic effort by our Paralympians. They surpassed the Tokyo Paralympics medal tally, looking forward for more medals," Narang said.When asked about his analysis of the Paris Olympic Games, Narang stated that he had not yet conducted a thorough assessment. He stressed the significance of focusing on the present and supporting the para athletes' ongoing performance."I haven't done my analysis of the Paris Olympics yet, everybody has spoken about it. But the most important thing right now is that in the Paralympics we are performing well, we are on the 16th position today," Narang said.Narang also shared his passion for photography and expressed his appreciation for the photographs displayed at the Media Photojournalist Trust's photo exhibition event at the Press Club of India. He emphasized the vital role of photographers in journalism and the irreplaceable value of their perspectives."Fantastic exhibition indeed, photographers are lifeline of journalism. They give us a perspective and no AI (Artificial Intelligence) can replace them. I wish, pray and help the association to do this function every year. Fantastic effort and great pictures," Narang concluded.

India's javelin throw sensation Neeraj Chopra has secured his spot in the prestigious Diamond League season finale, scheduled for September 14-15 in Brussels. Despite battling a persistent groin injury, Chopra's impressive performances throughout the season have earned him a place among the top four athletes in the overall standings.Chopra's journey to the Diamond League finale began with a second-place finish in Doha, where he threw 89.30m. He replicated this feat in Lausanne, finishing behind Grenada's Anderson Peters with a throw of 89.08m. These performances earned him 14 points, placing him fourth in the overall standings.The 26-year-old Haryana-born athlete has been grappling with a groin injury since before the Tokyo Olympics, which has hindered his pursuit of the elusive 90m mark. Despite this setback, Chopra has remained determined to overcome his physical challenges and regain his peak form.In the recently concluded Zurich meet, Peters emerged victorious with a throw of 90.61m, while German star Julian Weber finished second. Chopra opted to skip this meet to prioritize his recovery and preparation for the Diamond League finale.Chopra's participation in the Diamond League finale holds significant importance as the winner of each event is awarded a prestigious "Diamond Trophy," a cash prize of USD 30,000, and a wild card for the World Athletics Championships.The Indian javelin thrower has a strong track record in the Diamond League, having won the Lausanne leg in 2022 and 2023. He also finished second to Jakub Vadlejch in the winner-takes-all finale in Eugene, USA, last year.Chopra's immediate focus is on addressing his groin injury and regaining full fitness. He has expressed his determination to improve his technique and push the boundaries of his performance in the upcoming season.

After guiding India to a historic second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, head coach Craig Fulton faces a new challenge: preparing his team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy in China. Despite the team's recent celebrations, Fulton remains focused on the task at hand.Reflecting on the Paris campaign, Fulton expressed satisfaction with the team's performance. Despite falling short of their ultimate goal of a gold medal, he praised the team's resilience and determination. He highlighted the team's strong performance in the pool stage and their impressive victory over Australia in the group stage.Fulton believes the team's success in Paris was a result of a well-structured preparation process. He emphasized the importance of the team's warm-up matches against Holland, Great Britain, and Germany, which provided valuable experience and helped them fine-tune their tactics.When asked about the team's best performers in Paris, Fulton declined to single out any individuals, emphasizing the collective effort required in a team sport. He acknowledged the contributions of Harmanpreet Singh, who scored 10 goals, but stressed that his success was made possible by the entire team's efforts.Looking ahead to the Asian Champions Trophy, Fulton acknowledged the challenge of replacing goalkeeper Sreejesh. However, he expressed confidence in the abilities of Pathak and Suraj Karkera, who will be the goalkeepers for the tournament. He also highlighted the importance of building depth in the squad and giving younger players opportunities to prove themselves.Despite the short turnaround time between the Olympics and the Asian Champions Trophy, Fulton remains optimistic about the team's chances. He emphasized the team's desire to defend their title and their commitment to preparing thoroughly for the tournament.

Following India's second consecutive bronze medal finish in the Paris Olympics, Hockey India (HI) has begun planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. HI President Dilip Tirkey, a former India captain, outlined the federation's vision."We need to start preparing for the 2028 Olympics now. After the 2026 Asian Games, which is a qualifying event for the Olympics, the coach and selectors must collaborate to determine which players from the current team can compete in Los Angeles," Tirkey stated.With three players in their 30s and nine expected to be over 30 in four years, HI must consider the team's age profile. Tirkey emphasized the importance of performing well in major events such as the World Cup and FIH Pro League.The revival of the Hockey India League (HIL) is seen as a way to promote young talent. "Young players and domestic coaches will benefit. The addition of a women's competition is crucial," Tirkey said.HI faces challenges in managing the HIL, which was launched in 2013 and lasted for five editions. "The bigger challenge is making it successful in the long term. The franchises have been more or less finalized. The Odisha Government continues to be our backbone. I hope corporate houses will participate enthusiastically to support hockey," Tirkey added.To make domestic events more attractive, HI has made some of them mandatory for all players, including the National Championships. However, the federation may need to reconsider this decision due to the increased number of international events.Tirkey believes that the introduction of junior and sub-junior inter-zonal championships this year will provide youngsters with more competitive exposure. "More exposure will sharpen the skills of our under-17 and under-19 players," he said.

India's women's table tennis team made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time ever. However, their journey ended with a 1-3 loss to Germany, with Archana Kamath being the only Indian paddler to win a game.Despite the historic achievement, Kamath has decided to retire from professional table tennis to pursue her studies abroad. The decision came after a candid conversation with her coach, Anshul Garg, who acknowledged the challenges of winning an Olympic medal in the future.Kamath's selection for the Paris Olympics had sparked controversy, but she proved her worth by helping India secure their only victory against Germany. However, the lack of financial sustainability in table tennis, coupled with her desire for academic excellence, led her to make the difficult decision to retire.Kamath's father, Girish, expressed his support for his daughter's choice, emphasizing her academic achievements and her dedication to table tennis. He stated that she had no regrets about her decision.Kamlesh Mehta, secretary of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), acknowledged the growing corporate support for table tennis but admitted that the sport still faces challenges in providing a sustainable livelihood for players.Garg echoed Mehta's sentiments, highlighting the need for a system that supports upcoming players financially. He believes that Kamath's decision is understandable given the current state of the sport.

Ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics ended in heartbreak despite her valiant efforts. After reaching the final of the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling event, Vinesh was disqualified due to a failed weigh-in by a mere 100 grams. The devastating news shattered the hopes of the entire nation, which had pinned its hopes on her for a medal.Vinesh's disqualification sparked outrage and disappointment, leading her to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS). However, the verdict went against her, further dampening her spirits. Despite the bitter turn of events, Vinesh's determination and resilience have earned her the admiration and respect of her countrymen.While Vinesh may not have officially secured a medal in Paris, her performance has significantly boosted her brand value. According to the Economic Times, her fee for endorsement deals has skyrocketed, reflecting her increased popularity and marketability. Before the Olympics, Vinesh reportedly charged around INR 25 lakh per deal. However, she now commands a fee in the range of INR 75 lakh to 1 crore from a single brand.Vinesh's success has also inspired other Indian athletes. Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, returned home with a silver medal from Paris. Despite failing to repeat his gold medal performance, Chopra's brand value has soared by 30-40%, reaching an estimated USD 40 million or INR 330 crore.Manu Bhaker, another Indian shooting sensation, bagged two bronze medals in Paris. Her impressive performance has led to a surge in her brand value, resulting in a lucrative INR 1.5 crore deal with ThumbsUp. Before the Olympics, Manu charged around INR 25 lakh per endorsement deal. However, her Olympic success has seen her fee increase by six times.The success of Vinesh, Neeraj, and Manu has not only brought glory to India but has also had a positive impact on the sports industry. Their achievements have inspired young athletes and ignited a passion for sports in the hearts of millions of Indians.

Manu Bhaker, the celebrated Indian shooter who made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in the same Games, has shared a poignant throwback picture that captures her humble beginnings in the sport. The image, posted on social media, shows a young Manu practicing shooting with her schoolmates.Fast forward to today, Manu stands as one of India's most decorated Olympians, having etched her name in the annals of sporting history. Her journey to the pinnacle of success has been marked by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence.Reflecting on her journey, Manu spoke candidly about the setbacks she faced, particularly after her disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics. "It was very difficult for me to be confident again," she admitted. "But I know the taste of losing and then winning. It's the beauty of sports."Manu emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving one's goals. "To achieve the goal, we must put in a lot of hard work and effort," she said. "It doesn't always start with aiming for something big, you also have to work to achieve it. If you can dream big, you can achieve big."Beyond her sporting achievements, Manu also stressed the significance of embracing one's cultural heritage. "I have travelled almost half of the world," she said. "I have seen different kinds of people and cultures, their backgrounds and struggles. We should never be ashamed of where we come from."Manu's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and anyone who dares to dream big. Her message of resilience, hard work, and cultural pride resonates with all who seek to achieve greatness in their chosen fields.